Development of Formulas for the Estimation of Renal Depth and Application in the Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Koreans / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: There is no established formula for estimating renal depths in Korean. As a result, we undertook this study to develop a new formula, and to apply this formula in the calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the renal depth (RD) on the abdominal CT obtained in 300 adults (M:F=167:133, mean age 50.9 years) without known renal diseases. The RDs measured by CT were compared with the estimated RDs based on the Tonnesen and Taylor equations. New formulas were derived from the measured RDs in 200 out of 300 patients based on several variables such as sex, age, weight, and height by multiple regression analysis. The RDs estimated from the new formulas were compared with the measured RDs in the remaining 100 patients as a control. In 48 patients who underwent Tc-99m DTPA renal scintigraphy, GFR was measured with three equations (new formula, Tonnesen and Taylor equations), respectively, and compared with each other. RESULTS: The mean values of the RDs measured from CT were 6.9 cm for right kidney of the men (MRK), 6.7 cm for left kidney of the men (MLK), 6.7 cm for right kidney of the women (WRK), and 6.6 cm for left kidney of the women (WLK). The RDs estimated from Tonnesen equation were shorter than the ones measured from CT significantly. The newly derived formulas were 12.813 (weight/height)+0.002 (age)+ 2.264 for MRK, 15.344 (weight/height)+0.011 (age)+0.557 for MLK, 12.936 (weight/height)+ 0.014 (age)+1.462 for WRK and 13.488 (weight/height)+0.019 (age)+0.762 for WLK. The correlation coefficients of the RD measured from CT and estimated from the new formula were 0.529 in MRK, 0.729 in MLK, 0.601 in WRK, and 0.724 in WLK, respectively. The GFRs from the new formula were significantly higher than those from the Tonnesen equation significantly, which was the most similar to normal GFR values. CONCLUSION: We generated new formulas for estimating RD in Korean from the data by CT. By adopting these formulas, we expect that GFR can be measured by the Gates method accurately in Korean.

A Case of Internalization of Thracoamniotic Shunt of Fatal Bilateral Chylothorax / 대한주산의학회잡지

Using 3D ultrasound, bilateral chylothorax was diagnosed antenatally in the second trimester. Apparently stable, bilateral pleural effusion progressed rapidly to severe hydrops with facial edema during observation, and then we decided bilateral pleural-amniotic shunt operation. Here we present a case where drainage of pleural effusion by a double reverse pig tail stent made by ourself was achieved, although placement of the thoracoamniotic shunt resulted in near complete drainage of bilateral pleural effusion with normalization of intrathoracic anatomic relationships, subsequent resolution of fetal hydrops, but the ultimate outcome was unsuccessful due to the internalization of one catheter and unknown sudden death. We think that ongoing research is required to further evaluation about complications associated with this procedure, specifically failure of function due to obstruction, migration of the catheter,

CT Features of Appendiceal Mucocele

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of CT features of appendiceal mucocele in the diagnosis and evaluation of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings and compared with operative findings in 7 cases of pathologically proven appendiceal mucocele. CT findings such as location and extent of the lesion, Issue density, thickness or calcification of the wall, presence of adjacent inflammatory infiltration, and visualization of normal vermiform appendix were analyzed. RESULTS: Appendiceal mucocele was found as homogeneous low density cystic mass adjacent to the cecum, which has no surrounding inflammatory infiltration except in one case of perforation and one case of intussusception. Mean CT number measured in 4 cases was 21 Hounsfield unit. Thin curvilinear calcifications were noted along the cystic wall in 2 cases. Normal vermiform appendix couldn't be demonstrated in all cases. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal mucocele is characterized by homogeneously low density and thin walled cystic tumor adjacent to cecum without surrounding inflammatory infiltration, and absence of normal vermiform appendix on CT. Therefore, CT is valuable in preventing operative complications of appendiceal mucocele.

Treatment of Traumatic Carotid-cavernous Fistular using Debrun's Latex Detatchable Balloon

A case of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula treated using Debrun's latex detatchable balloon catheter is reported. The patient was a 33-year-old man, who has complaints of proptosis and chemosis of left eye 2 months after motor vehicle accident. The cerebral angiography showed direct fistula between intracavernous portion of internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus as high flow-high pressure type. After complete radiologic and neurologic examination, the fistulous opening was successfully occluded by Debrun's latex detatchable balloon with transient ischemic attack, was resolved 2 hours after the procedure.

Quantitative Evaluation Using Histo-processing as a Complement of Conventional Hepatic Scintigraphy

The lack of specificity of an abnormal findings visualized on a conventional radiocolloid liver imaging remains a significant limitation of the examination. The purpose of this investigation is to clarify an equivocal abnormal finding visualized on a conventional liver and spleen imaging by using combination of scintiangiography and histogram as a quantiative assessment. Histo-analysis of peak colloidal distribution in the liver and spleen was undertaken as a complement of conventional liver imaging. The following useful patterns was emerged: 1. In hepatitis, the splenic uptake was slightly higher than in normal group. This change was usually not recognized in conventional imaging. 2. In liver cirrhosis, the liver uptake was markedly low whilst splenic uptake was very high, resulting in splenic shift and very low liver-spleen uptake ratio. 3. In hepatoma, the liver uptake was not definitely changed but splenic uptake was considerably high, so that the liver-spleen uptake ratio was very low. 4. In liver metastasis, both liver and splenic uptakes were within normallimits and the liver-spleen uptake ratio was not changed.